Welding lead cable connector holding apparatus for locking and protecting welding leads

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for locking welding leads together and for protecting such welding leads, such apparatus including two shell members hingedly attached together, an appendage, and an engagement member wherein the appendage and engagement member are configured for engaging with one another. The engagement member further includes a lock housing and associated built-in lock for locking the appendage to the engagement member, thereby locking the first shell member to the second shell member and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of welding. More particularly, this disclosure relates to an apparatus for locking welding lead cable connectors together and for protecting such welding lead cable connectors.

BACKGROUND

Welding leads (or “welding cable”) is an electrical conductor for transmitting a welding current used for welding materials together (e.g., for arc welding or resistance welding). Welding leads typically include small copper strands wrapped together inside a nonconductive outer layer. Such leads typically have enlarged ends in the form of cable connectors wherein one end is typically a male end and the other a female end with both male and female features being highly conductive.

Welding leads can be both dangerous and expensive. Some dangers include potential to electrocution if the connection between a first welding lead cable connector connected to a second welding leads cable connector becomes loose and conductive material is exposed outside or otherwise being the nonconductive outer layer of the welding leads. Although some welding leads have features that help to better secure a connection between other welding leads, connections between welding lead cable connectors can still easily become loose or become disengaged altogether. The relative ease at which such leads can be disconnected also makes them susceptible to theft.

What is needed, therefore, is a device and method to overcome the issues mentioned above related to common welding leads.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by an apparatus for holding welding lead cable connectors together and for protecting such welding leads, the apparatus including (a) a shell defining a primary cavity therein, the shell further comprising a first shell member and a second shell member wherein the first shell member is hingedly attached to the second shell member; (b) an appendage attached to the first shell member wherein the appendage extends beyond the first shell member when the appendage is oriented adjacent to an outer surface of the first shell member; and (c) an engagement member attached to the second shell member for engaging with the appendage.

In one embodiment, the engagement member further includes a lock for locking the appendage to the engagement member, thereby locking the first shell member to the second shell member and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell.

In a different embodiment, the appendage further includes a solid strip including a first aperture proximate to a distal end of the solid strip and wherein the engagement member further comprises an extension wherein the extension extends at least partially through the first aperture. In a related embodiment, the extension further includes a second aperture whereby a locking bar from a separate lock can be inserted through the second aperture when the extension is extended at least partially through the first aperture, thereby locking the first shell member to the second shell member and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell.

In a different embodiment, the engagement member further includes (1) a combination lock including a bar extending from a main body of the combination lock wherein the combination lock is configured so that the bar can be released from a first position and moved from the first position to a second position if a proper combination is input to the combination lock; and (2) an arm extending from the bar of the combination lock wherein if the bar is in the first position, the arm engages the engagement member with the appendage, thereby locking the appendage to the engagement member and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell. In a related embodiment, the engagement member further includes (3) an outer housing attached to the second shell member; (4) a rod extending through the outer housing and attached to the outer housing; (5) a rotation member attached along the rod so that the rotation member is configured to rotate along the rod back and forth from a first orientation to a second orientation and wherein the rotation member includes a tongue extending out from a main body of the rotation member proximate a first edge of the rotation member and a leg extending out from the main body of the rotation member proximate a second edge of the rotation member; (6) a biasing member engaged with the rotation member for biasing the rotation member to the first orientation when the bar is in the first position; and the arm further including a wedge-shaped extension for biasing the rotation member to the second orientation when the bar is in the second position, wherein the appendage further includes a solid strip including a plurality of teeth facing the tongue of the rotation member wherein the tongue engages with one of the teeth when the bar is in the first position and wherein the tongue is released from the teeth when the bar is in the second position.

In a different embodiment, the appendage may further include a solid strip including an extension proximate a distal end of the solid strip wherein the extension includes an aperture through which the arm can extend when the bar is in the first position, thereby locking the first shell member to the second shell member and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell.

In another aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of locking two welding leads together, the method including the steps of (i) placing a first welding lead cable connector into a first portion of a shell including a first shell member hingedly attached to a second shell member; (ii) placing a second welding lead cable connector into a second portion of the shell; and (iii) closing the shell to a closed position wherein a primary cavity is defined inside the solid sell and wherein the first welding lead cable connector and the second welding lead cable connector are held inside the shell. In ne embodiment, the method further includes the step of (iv) locking the first shell member to the second shell member, thereby locking the first welding lead cable connector and the second welding lead cable connector inside the shell.

The summary provided herein is intended to provide examples of particular disclosed embodiments and is not intended to cover all potential embodiments or combinations of embodiments. Therefore, this summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention disclosure in any way, a function which is reserved for the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a drawing of an embodiment of a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in an open position wherein some internal components are shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 2 shows a drawing of an embodiment of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus from FIG. 1 shown in a closed but unlocked position wherein some internal components are shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 3 shows a drawing of an embodiment of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 shown in a closed and locked position wherein some internal components are shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 4 shows a drawing of an embodiment of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus from FIGS. 1-3 shown in a closed and locked position with two cable connectors from two different welding leads locked in a shell of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus wherein some internal components including the cable connectors are shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 5 shows a drawing of an embodiment of a first shell member of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 shows a drawing of an embodiment of a second shell member of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 7 shows a drawing of a close-up view of an embodiment of an engagement member from the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-4 wherein a bar of the engagement member is situated in a locked (first) position and wherein an outer housing of the engagement member is removed to reveal certain internal components;

FIG. 8 shows a drawing of close-up view of an embodiment of an engagement member from the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-4 wherein the bar of the engagement member is situated in an unlocked (second) position and wherein an outer housing of the engagement member is removed to reveal certain internal components;

FIG. 9 shows a drawing of a close-up cutaway view (cut along line A-A of FIG. 3) of an embodiment of the engagement member shown in FIG. 7 wherein the bar of the engagement member is situated in a locked (first) position and a rotation member is situated in a first orientation;

FIG. 10 shows a drawing of a close-up cutaway view (cut along line A-A of FIG. 3) of an embodiment of the engagement member shown in FIG. 8 wherein the bar of the engagement member is situated in an unlocked (second) position and the rotation member is situated in a second orientation;

FIG. 11A shows a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of a lock housing for use with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 11B shows a drawing of a side view of an embodiment of a lock housing for use with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 12A shows a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of a solid strip for use with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 12B shows a drawing of a side view of an embodiment of a solid strip for use with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-10;

FIG. 13 shows a drawing of an embodiment of a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in a closed but unlatched and unlocked position;

FIG. 14A a drawing of a perspective view of a first shell member from the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 14B shows a drawing of an end view of the first shell member shown in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14C shows a drawing of a side view of the first shell member shown in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B;

FIG. 14D shows a drawing of a bottom view looking into the first shell member shown in FIGS. 14A-14C;

FIG. 15A shows a drawing of a perspective view of a second shell member from the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15B shows a drawing of an end view of the second shell member shown in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 15C shows a drawing of a side view of the second shell member shown in FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B;

FIG. 15D shows a drawing of a bottom view looking into the second shell member shown in FIGS. 15A-15C;

FIG. 16 shows a drawing of an end view of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13 including an engagement member with certain components inside an outer housing of the engagement member shown as dashed lines;

FIG. 17 shows a drawing of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 16 with the outer housing removed to reveal internal components wherein a bar of the engagement member is situated in a locked (first) position and a rotation member is situated in a first orientation;

FIG. 18 shows a drawing of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 with the outer housing removed to reveal internal components wherein the bar of the engagement member is situated in an unlocked (second) position and the rotation member is situated in a second orientation;

FIG. 19 shows a drawing of an end view of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 16 with the outer housing removed showing an appendage engaged with a rotation member of the engagement member while the bar is situated in the locked (first) position and the rotation member is situated in the first orientation;

FIG. 20 shows a drawing of an end view of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 17 with the outer housing removed showing an appendage disengaged with a rotation member of the engagement member while the bar is situated in the unlocked (second) position and the rotation member is situated in the second orientation;

FIG. 21A shows a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of an appendage used with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 21B shows a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of the appendage used with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 22A shows a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of the outer housing used with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 22B shows a drawing of a side view of an embodiment of the outer housing used with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 23A shows a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of a rotation member used with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 23B shows a drawing of a plan view of an embodiment of the rotation member used with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 23C shows a drawing of an end view of an embodiment of the rotation member used with the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 24A shows a first perspective view of an embodiment of a bar and associated arm shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18;

FIG. 24B shows a second perspective view of an embodiment of a bar and associated arm shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18;

FIG. 25 shows a drawing of a partially exploded view looking into the second shell member shown in FIGS. 15A-15D and showing an example of a screw and sunken screw holes;

FIG. 26 shows a drawing of an embodiment of a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in a closed but unlocked position;

FIG. 27 shows a drawing of a close-up view of an embodiment of an appendage and an engagement member of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 shows a drawing of an embodiment a drawing of a close-up view of an appendage and an engagement member of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 wherein the appendage and the engagement member are engaged together and locked together using a separate lock;

FIG. 29 shows a drawing of an embodiment of a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in a closed but unlatched and unlocked position;

FIG. 30 shows a drawing of a close-up view of an embodiment of an appendage and an engagement member of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 29 wherein a bar of the engagement member is shown in an unlocked (second) position;

FIG. 31 shows a drawing of a close-up view of an embodiment of an appendage and an engagement member of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus shown in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 wherein the bar of the engagement member is shown in a locked (first) position; and

FIG. 32 shows a drawing of a first cable connector of a first welding lead attached to a second cable connector of a second welding lead.

The figures are provided to illustrate concepts of the invention disclosure and are not intended to embody all potential embodiments of the invention. Therefore, the figures are not intended to limit the scope of the invention disclosure in any way, a function which is reserved for the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various terms used herein are intended to have particular meanings. Some of these terms are defined below for the purpose of clarity. The definitions given below are meant to cover all forms of the words being defined (e.g., singular, plural, present tense, past tense). If the definition of any term below diverges from the commonly understood and/or dictionary definition of such term, the definitions below control.

FIGS. 1-4 show a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 100 for holding welding lead cable connectors together and for protecting such leads. The apparatus 100 includes a shell 102 preferably made of a sturdy, non-conductive material defining a primary cavity 104. The shell 102 includes a first shell member 106A and a second shell member 106B (collectively, “shell members” 106) attached to one another (preferably via a hinge configuration) so that the shell members 106 can be rotated to a closed position shown in FIG. 3, defining the primary cavity 104 where a first welding lead 108A and a second welding lead 108B can be attached and held together in place by the apparatus 100 as shown, for example, in FIG. 4. The first welding lead 108A includes a first welding lead cable connector 110A held inside the shell 102 when the shell 102 is in a closed position, and the second welding lead 108B includes a second welding lead cable connector 110B held inside the shell 102 when the shell 102 is in a closed position. As further shown in FIG. 4, the first welding lead 108A extends out of a first shell aperture 111A and the second welding lead 108B extends out of a second shell aperture 111B. The first shell member 106A is shown by itself in FIG. 5 and the second shell member 106B is shown by itself in FIG. 6.

The first shell member 106A preferably includes outer regions 112 including a first outer region 112A and a second outer region 112B that are tapered to hold welding lead cable connectors in place inside the shell 102. Similarly, the second shell member 106B preferably includes outer regions 114 including a first outer region 114A and a second outer region 114B that are also tapered to hold welding lead cable connectors in place inside the shell 102. In various embodiments described and suggested herein, the shell members 106 are fastened together using some form of a locking mechanism. The complexity of the locking mechanism may vary in different embodiments but in each embodiment, such mechanism is used to hold the shell members 106 together and thereby hold welding lead cable connectors in place inside the shell 102.

The apparatus 100 includes an appendage 116 attached to the first shell member 106A and an engagement member 118 attached to the second shell member 106B. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-10, the appendage 116 includes a solid strip 119 that is preferably attached to the first shell member 106A and is configured to extend beyond the first shell member 106A when the appendage 116 is oriented adjacent to an outer surface 120 of the first shell member 106A. The solid strip 119 is preferably shaped to curve with the outer surface 120 of the first shell member 106A. The engagement member 118 is configured to receive and engage with the appendage 116.

The example engagement member 118 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10 includes a combination lock 122. A close-up view of the engagement member 118 including the combination lock 122 is shown in FIGS. 7-8. The combination features and associated mechanical components of such combination features of combination locks are well-known to a person having ordinary skill in the art and, therefore, such features are not described in detail here. In addition to such basic internal combination mechanical features, the combination lock 122 includes a bar 124 extending from a main body 126 of the combination lock 122 wherein the combination lock 122 is configured so that the bar 124 can be released from a locked position (a first position) and moved from the first position (see FIG. 7) to an unlocked position (a second position; see FIG. 8) if a proper combination is input to the combination lock 122. The engagement member 118 further includes an arm 128 extending from the bar 124 of the combination lock 122 wherein if the bar 124 is in the first position, the arm 128 engages the engagement member 118 with the appendage 116, thereby locking the appendage 116 to the engagement member 118 and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell 102.

FIGS. 7-10 show a specific example of how the appendage 116 engages with the engagement member 118. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-10, the appendage 116 includes a plurality of teeth 130 facing down toward the shell members 106. The engagement member 118 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10 preferably further includes an outer housing 132 (also referred to herein as “lock housing”) attached to the second shell member 106B. The outer housing 132 can be attached to the second shell member 106B by different methods known to persons having ordinary skill in the art such as welding, screws, pins, glue, or combinations thereof. The engagement member 118 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10 preferably further includes a rod 134 extending through the outer housing 132 and attached to the outer housing 132. The engagement member 118 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10 also preferably includes a rotation member 136 attached along the rod 134 so that the rotation member 136 is configured to rotate along the rod 134 back and forth from a first orientation (see FIG. 7) to a second orientation (see FIG. 8) and wherein the rotation member 136 includes a tongue 138 extending out from a main body 140 of the rotation member 136 proximate a first edge 142A of the rotation member and a leg 144 extending out from the main body 140 of the rotation member 136 proximate a second edge 142B of the rotation member 136. The engagement member 118 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10 also preferably includes at least one biasing member 146 engaged with the rotation member 136 for biasing the rotation member 136 toward the first orientation when the bar 124 is in the first position (see FIG. 7). The at least one biasing member 146 preferably includes a torsion spring 148 as shown in FIGS. 7-10. The arm 128 shown in FIGS. 7-8 further includes a wedge-shaped extension 150 for biasing the rotation member 136 toward the second orientation when the bar 124 is in the second position (see FIG. 8). The plurality of teeth 130 of the appendage 116 form a ratchet track 152 facing the tongue 138 of the rotation member 136 wherein the tongue 138 engages with one of the teeth 130 when the bar 124 is in the first position and the rotation member is in the first orientation (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 9), and wherein the tongue 138 is released from the teeth 130 when the bar 124 is moved to the second position and the rotation member is situated in the second orientation (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 10). The bar 124 is released by inputting a proper combination code into the combination lock 122.

As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the torsion spring 148 includes a first branch 154 that is preferably attached proximate to a third edge 142C of the rotation member 136 through a bulge borehole 156 in a bulge 158 along the third edge 142C of the rotation member 136. A second branch 160 of the torsion spring 148 is preferably pressed against or otherwise engaged with the housing 132 or other solid fixed object inside the housing 132.

Appendage 116 preferably includes a hinge joint 162 including an appendage pin 163 for attaching the solid strip 119 to the first shell member 106A as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The hinge joint 162 can be attached to the first shell member 106A by welding, screws, glue or other similar attachment means known to persons having ordinary skill in the art. The first shell member 106A is preferably attached to the second shell member 106B via a hinge mechanism including a shell pin 164 extending through a shell borehole 166 formed by combining interlocking projections 168 from the first shell member 106A and the second shell member 106B.

FIGS. 11A-11B show an embodiment of the lock housing 132 by itself including a first lock housing aperture 170 through which part of the solid strip 119 extends. Also shown are a plurality of second lock housing apertures 172 through which the bar 124 extends. A third lock housing aperture 174 is shown through which the arm 128 extends. Finally, a plurality of fourth lock housing apertures 176 are shown on opposite sides of the housing 132 wherein the rod 134 extends into each of the fourth lock housing apertures 176. FIGS. 12A-12B show an embodiment of the solid strip 119 by itself.

FIGS. 13 and 16-20 show a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 200 which includes a shell 202 defining a cavity 204 wherein the shell 202 further includes a first shell member 206A (see FIGS. 20A-20D) and a second shell member 206B (see FIGS. 21A-21D) (hereinafter, collectively, “shell members 206”). The apparatus 200 further includes an appendage 208 attached to the first shell member 206A and an engagement member 210 attached to the second shell member 206B wherein the apparatus 200 is configured to engage the engagement member 210 with the appendage 208 in order to lock the first shell member 206A and the second shell member 206B together so that the apparatus 200 is in a closed position. If welding lead cable connectors are present inside the primary cavity 204, such welding lead cable connectors are effectively locked inside the shell 202, thereby locking and protecting the associated welding leads. The wires of the welding lead cables can extend out of a first shell aperture 211A and a second shell aperture 211B.

The first shell member 206A preferably includes outer regions 212 including a first outer region 212A and a second outer region 212B that are tapered to hold welding lead cable connectors in place inside the shell 202. Similarly, the second shell member 206B preferably includes outer regions 213 including a first outer region 213A and a second outer region 213B that are also tapered to hold welding lead cable connectors in place inside the shell 202. In various embodiments described and suggested herein, the shell members 206 are fastened together using some form of a locking mechanism. The complexity of the locking mechanism may vary in different embodiments but in each embodiment, such mechanism is used to hold the shell members 206 together and thereby hold welding lead cable connectors in place inside the shell 202.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 16-20, the appendage 208 includes a solid strip 214 that is preferably attached to the first shell member 206A and is configured to extend beyond the first shell member 206A when the appendage 208 is oriented adjacent to an outer surface 215 of the first shell member 206A. The solid strip 214 is preferably shaped to curve with the outer surface 215 of the first shell member 206A.

The engagement member 210 is configured to receive and engage with the appendage 208. The example engagement member 210 shown in FIGS. 13 and 16-20 includes a combination lock 216. A close-up view of the engagement member 210 including the combination lock 216 is shown in FIGS. 16-20. The combination features and associated mechanical components of such combination features of combination locks are well-known to a person having ordinary skill in the art and, therefore, such features are not described in detail here. In addition to such basic internal combination mechanical features, the combination lock 216 includes a bar 218 extending from a main body 220 of the combination lock 216 wherein the combination lock 216 is configured so that the bar 218 can be released from a locked position (a first position) and moved from the first position (see FIGS. 17 an 19) to an unlocked position (a second position; see FIGS. 18 and 20) if a proper combination is input to the combination lock 216. The engagement member 210 further includes an arm 222 extending from the bar 218 of the combination lock 216 wherein if the bar 218 is in the first position, the arm 222 engages the engagement member 210 with the appendage 208, thereby locking the appendage 208 to the engagement member 210 and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity 204, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell 202.

FIGS. 19-20 show a specific example of how the appendage 208 engages with the engagement member 210. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 16-20, the appendage 208 includes a plurality of teeth 224 facing down toward the shell members 206. The engagement member 210 shown in FIGS. 13 and 16 preferably further includes an outer housing 226 (also referred to herein as “lock housing”) attached to the second shell member 206B. The outer housing 226 can be attached to the second shell member 206B by different methods known to persons having ordinary skill in the art such as welding, screws, pins, glue, or combinations thereof. The engagement member 210 shown in FIGS. 13 and 16-20 preferably further includes a rod 228 extending through the outer housing 226 and attached to the outer housing 226. The rod is preferably ⅛ inches in diameter, but other sized rods can be used in this and other embodiments. The engagement member 210 shown in FIGS. 13 and 16-20 also preferably includes a rotation member 230 configured along the rod 228 so that the rod extends through a rotation member borehole 231. In this way, the rotation member 230 is configured to rotate along the rod 228 back and forth from a first orientation (see FIGS. 17 and 19) to a second orientation (see FIGS. 18 and 20) and wherein the rotation member 230 includes a tongue 232 extending out from a main body 234 of the rotation member 230 proximate a first edge 236A of the tab and a leg 238 extending out from the main body 234 of the rotation member 230 proximate a second edge 236B of the rotation member 230. The engagement member 210 shown in FIGS. 13 and 16-20 also preferably includes at least one biasing member 240 engaged with the rotation member 230 for biasing the rotation member 230 toward the first orientation when the bar 218 is in the first position (see FIGS. 17 and 19). The at least one biasing member 240 preferably includes a plurality of torsion springs 242 as shown as a first torsion spring 242A and a second torsion spring 242B in FIGS. 17 and 18. The arm 222 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 further includes a wedge-shaped extension 244 for biasing the rotation member 230 toward the second orientation when the bar 218 is in the second position (see FIGS. 18 and 20). The plurality of teeth 224 of the appendage 208 form a ratchet track 246 facing the tongue 232 of the rotation member 230 wherein the tongue 232 engages with one of the teeth 224 when the bar 218 is in the first position (see FIGS. 17 and 19) and wherein the tongue 232 is released from the teeth 224 when the bar 218 is moved to the second position (see FIGS. 18 and 20). The bar 218 is released by inputting a proper combination code into the combination lock 216.

As shown in FIGS. 17-20, the first torsion spring 242A includes a first branch 248A attached proximate to a third edge 236C of the rotation member 230 and the second torsion spring 242B includes a first branch 248B attached proximate to a fourth edge 236D of the rotation member 230. The first branch 248A of the first torsion spring 242A extends into a first slot 250A inside the rotation member 230. The first branch 248B of the second torsion spring 242B extends into a second slot 250B inside the rotation member 230. A second branch 252A of the first torsion spring 242A is preferably pressed against or otherwise engaged with the housing 226 or other solid fixed object inside the housing 226. Similarly, a second branch 252B of the second torsion spring 242B is preferably pressed against or otherwise engaged with the housing 226 or other solid fixed object inside the housing 226.

Appendage 208 (shown by itself in FIGS. 21A-21B) preferably includes a hinge joint 254 including an appendage pin 256 for attaching the solid strip 214 to the first shell member 206A as shown in FIGS. 13 and 19-20. The hinge joint 254 can be attached to the first shell member 206A by welding, screws, glue or other similar attachment means known to persons having ordinary skill in the art. The first shell member 206A is preferably attached to the second shell member 206B via a hinge mechanism including a shell pin 258 extending through a shell borehole 260 formed by combining interlocking projections 262 from the first shell member 206A and the second shell member 206B. The appendage pin 256 and the shell pin 258 are both preferably ⅛ inches in diameter but other pin sizes can be used in this and other embodiments.

FIGS. 22A-22B show an embodiment of the lock housing 226 by itself including a first lock housing slot 264 through which part of the solid strip 214 extends. Also shown are a plurality of second lock housing slots 266 through which the bar 218 extends. A third lock housing slot 268 is shown through which the arm 222 extends. Finally, a pair of fourth lock housing slots 270 are shown on opposite sides of the housing 226 wherein the rod 228 extends into each of the fourth lock housing slots 270. Images of the rotation member 230 are shown in FIGS. 23A-23C providing more detail on the shape of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 23A-23C. FIGS. 24A and 24B show different views of the bar 218 and arm 222.

When screws 272 are used to attach features of various embodiments described here, holes 274 for such screws 272 are preferably countersunk so that the holes 274 can be filled with silicone to disrupt or otherwise block any electric flow from welding leads to the screws 272 as shown, for example, in FIG. 25.

Most if not all of the components of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 100, the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 200, as well as other embodiments described herein are preferably made of non-conductive materials such as, for example, polymeric materials such as plastics. However, metal(s) or metal alloy(s) can also be used in some embodiments for all or some of the features of the overall device. One benefit of nonmetals is that such materials are often less conductive than metals. At least the exterior of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatuses is preferably made from non-conductive materials. The dimensions of the components of the welding lead cable connector holding apparatuses can vary depending on the sizes of welding leads that are to be held in place by the shell 102 or the shell 202. Preferably, the length of the first shell member 106A and the first shell member 206A ranges from about 9.5 to about 11.5 inches and each of the outer regions 112 preferably have a length of from about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches. Similarly, the length of the second shell member 106B and the second shell member 206B ranges from about 9.5 to about 11.5 inches and each of the outer regions 114 preferably have a length of from about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches.

FIGS. 26-28 show a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 300 which includes a shell 302 defining a cavity 304 wherein the shell 302 further includes a first shell member 306A and a second shell member 306B. The apparatus 300 further includes an appendage 308 attached to the first shell member 306A and an engagement member 310 attached to the second shell member 306B wherein the apparatus 300 is configured to engage the engagement member 310 with the appendage 308 in order to lock the first shell member 306A and the second shell member 306B together so that the apparatus 300 is in a closed position. If welding lead cable connectors are present inside the primary cavity 304, such welding lead cable connectors are effectively locked inside the shell 302, thereby locking and protecting the associated welding leads.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 26-28, the appendage 308 includes a solid strip 312 including a solid strip aperture 314 proximate to a distal end 316 of the solid strip 312. The engagement member 310 further includes an extension 318 extending out from an outer surface 320 of the second shell member 306B wherein the extension includes an extension aperture 322. The appendage 316 is preferably attached to the first shell member 306A via a hinge joint 324 so that the appendage can be maneuvered to a position in which the extension 318 extends at least partially through the solid strip aperture 314. When in this position, a bar from a separate lock (e.g., a common padlock) can be inserted through the extension aperture 322 and used to lock the appendage 308 to the engagement member 310, thereby locking the first shell member 306A and the second shell member 306B together so that the apparatus 300 is in a closed position.

FIGS. 29-31 show a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 400 which includes a shell 402 defining a cavity 404 wherein the shell 402 further includes a first shell member 406A and a second shell member 406B. The apparatus 400 further includes an appendage 408 attached to the first shell member 406A and an engagement member 410 attached to the second shell member 406B wherein the apparatus 400 is configured to engage the engagement member 410 with the appendage 408 in order to lock the first shell member 406A and the second shell member 406B together so that the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 400 is in a closed position. If welding lead cable connectors are present inside the primary cavity 404, such welding lead cable connectors are effectively locked inside the shell 402, thereby locking and protecting the associated welding leads.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 29-31, the appendage 408 includes a solid strip 412 that is preferably attached to the first shell member 406A and is configured to extend beyond the first shell member 406A when the appendage 408 is oriented adjacent to an outer surface 414 of the first shell member 406A. The solid strip 412 is preferably shaped to curve with the outer surface 414 of the first shell member 406A. The engagement member 410 is configured to receive and engage with the appendage 408. The example engagement member 410 shown in FIGS. 28-30 includes a combination lock 416. A close-up view of the engagement member 410 including the combination lock 416 is shown in FIGS. 30-31. The combination features and associated mechanical components of such combination features of combination locks are well-known to a person having ordinary skill in the art and, therefore, such features are not described in detail here. In addition to such basic internal combination mechanical features, the combination lock 416 includes a bar 418 extending from a main body 420 of the combination lock 416 wherein the combination lock 416 is configured so that the bar 418 can be moved from a locked position (a first position; see FIG. 30) to an unlocked position (a second position; see FIG. 31) if a proper combination is input to the combination lock 416. The combination lock 416 further includes an arm 422 extending from the bar 418 of the combination lock 416 wherein if the bar 418 is in the first position, the arm 422 engages with the appendage 408, thereby locking the appendage 408 to the engagement member 410 and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell 402.

As shown in FIGS. 29-31, the appendage 408 includes a solid strip extension 424 extending out proximate to a distal end 426 of the solid strip 412. The appendage 408 is preferably attached to the first shell member 406A via a hinge joint 428 so that the appendage 408 can be maneuvered to a position in which at least part of the bar 418 can be inserted through an extension aperture 430 located in the solid strip extension 424. When at least part of the bar 418 is inserted through the extension aperture 430, the combination lock 416 is in the locked (first) position shown in FIG. 30 and the appendage 408 is prevented from being easily released from the engagement member 410, thereby locking the first shell member 406A and the second shell member 406B together so that the apparatus 400 is in a closed position. If welding lead cable connectors are present inside the primary cavity 404, such welding lead cable connectors are effectively locked inside the shell 402, thereby locking and protecting the associated welding leads. To unlock the welding lead cable connector holding apparatus 400, a proper combination can be input to the combination lock 416, thereby releasing the bar 418 to the unlocked (second) position which, in turn, causes the bar 418 to exit the extension aperture 430.

The previously described embodiments of the present disclosure have many advantages. FIG. 32 shows the first welding lead 108A attached to the second welding lead 108B without use of a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus. Without a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus, such welding leads 108 can be easily completely or partially disengaged, prone to exposure of electrical current outside the device (electrocution risk), and easily stolen. The locking of the engagement member and appendage in various embodiments disclosed herein secures welding lead cable connectors inside the shell of a welding lead cable connector holding apparatus, thereby preventing many of these drawbacks. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the ratchet track (152 or 246) allows for the shell members (106 or 206) to be tightened or loosened from one another intermittently as needed based on the size of welding lead cable connectors and other factors.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The described preferred embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure to the precise form(s) disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the concepts revealed in the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for holding welding lead cable connectors together and for protecting such welding leads, the apparatus comprising: a. a shell defining a primary cavity therein, the shell further comprising a first shell member and a second shell member wherein the first shell member is hingedly attached to the second shell member; and b. an appendage attached to the first shell member wherein the appendage extends beyond the first shell member when the appendage is oriented adjacent to an outer surface of the first shell member; c. an engagement member attached to the second shell member for engaging with the appendage, wherein the engagement member further comprises a lock housing and associated lock for locking the appendage to the engagement member, thereby locking the first shell member to the second shell member and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the appendage further comprises a solid strip including a first aperture proximate to a distal end of the solid strip and wherein the engagement member further comprises an extension wherein the extension extends at least partially through the first aperture.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engagement member further comprises: a. a combination lock including a bar extending from a main body of the combination lock wherein the combination lock is configured so that the bar can be released from a first position and moved from the first position to a second position if a proper combination is input to the combination lock; b. an arm extending from the bar of the combination lock wherein if the bar is in the first position, the arm engages the engagement member with the appendage, thereby locking the appendage to the engagement member and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the appendage further comprises a solid strip including an extension proximate a distal end of the solid strip wherein the extension includes an aperture through which the arm can extend when the bar is in the first position, thereby locking the first shell member to the second shell member and, if two welding lead cable connectors are located in the primary cavity, locking the two welding lead cable connectors inside the shell.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the engagement member further comprises: a. an outer housing attached to the second shell member; b. a rod extending through the outer housing and attached to the outer housing; c. a rotation member attached along the rod so that the rotation member is configured to rotate along the rod back and forth from a first orientation to a second orientation and wherein the rotation member includes a tongue extending out from a main body of the rotation member proximate a first edge of the rotation member and a leg extending out from the main body of the rotation member proximate a second edge of the rotation member; d. a biasing member engaged with the rotation member for biasing the rotation member to the first orientation when the bar is in the first position; and e. the arm further comprising a wedge-shaped extension for biasing the rotation member to the second orientation when the bar is in the second position; and wherein the appendage further comprises a solid strip including a plurality of teeth facing the tongue of the rotation member wherein the tongue engages with one of the teeth when the bar is in the first position and wherein the tongue is released from one of the teeth when the bar is in the second position. 